Court Fixes May 5 to Hear Suit Seeking Deregistration of ADC, Three Other Parties

The Federal High Court in Abuja has slated May 5, 2026, for the hearing of a suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, and Action Alliance over alleged constitutional breaches.

Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date on Monday after granting an application by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators to amend their originating summons to include additional political parties accused of violating provisions of the law.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, lists the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants.

In a brief ruling, Justice Lifu directed all parties yet to respond to the amended processes to do so promptly, stressing that the case is time-sensitive and of significant public interest.

He noted that with party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, there is an urgent need for an expeditious determination of the matter.

The court subsequently ordered all parties to file the necessary processes on or before May 1.

The plaintiffs are seeking declaratory reliefs affirming that INEC is constitutionally bound to enforce compliance with requirements for the registration and continued recognition of political parties.

They also urged the court to compel the electoral body to deregister the affected parties and to refrain from recognising or acting on any correspondence from them until they fully comply with constitutional and statutory provisions.

In a supporting affidavit deposed to by the Chairman of the group’s Board of Trustees, Igbokwe Nnanna, the plaintiffs alleged that the parties failed to meet the constitutional threshold of securing at least 25 per cent of votes in one state during presidential elections.

They further claimed that the parties lack the required national spread, including representation across the country’s 8,809 wards, 774 local government areas, 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The plaintiffs warned that unless restrained, INEC may allow the parties to participate in the 2027 general elections, a move they argue could overcrowd ballot papers, strain administrative resources, and mislead voters.